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SERMON, 

FOR  THE 


BENEFIT  OF  THE 

fwrtrian  eolomj.ition 
Sorirts* 

DELIVERED  IN  THE 

SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  NEWARK, 
July  24,  1825. 


Rs  the  Rev.  WILLIAM  T.  HAMILTON, 

PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  NEWARK. 


NEWARK: 

PRINTED  BY  W.  TUTTLE  & CO, 


1825, 


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I 


Newark,  July  25,  1825, 


Rev.  and  respected  Sir , 

The  subscribers,  members  of  the  two  Congregations  to 
whom  your  Sermon  on  the  subject  of  the  American  Coloni- 
zation Society  was  yesterday  addressed,  are  deeply  impress- 
ed with  the  importance  of  the  objects  adverted  to  and  con- 
nected with  this  Society  : They  cannot  but  believe  that  these 
great  objects  will  be  essentially  promoted  by  a more  general 
ditfusion  of  the  excellent  sentiments  contained  in  that  Dis- 
course— and  they  therefore  take  the  liberty  respectfully  to  re- 
quest of  you  a copy  for  publication.  They  hope,  Sir,  that 
When  it  is  considered  how  seldom  a plea  for  injured  Africa  has 
been  heard,  you  will  favour  them  with  yours. 

With  great  esteem, 

We  are  your  obedient  servants. 

[Signed  by  a number  of  the  members  of 
the  1st  and  2d  Congregations.] 

Rev.  JVm.  T.  Hamilton. 


TO  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE 
1^  and  2d  Presbyterian  Congregations,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Prudence  might  perhaps  require  the  Preacher  to  decline 
publishing  this  discourse  ; but  an  application  from  members 
of  both  the  churches  before  whom  it  was  delivered,  so  nu- 
merous and  so  respectable,  ought  to  have  weight.  That  it 
■was  hastily  written,  the  numerous  engagements  of  the  prece- 
ding week  may  testify  : that  it  has  many  defects  all  may  dis- 
cover : but  that  notwithstanding  all  this,  it  may  be  of  some 
use  in  extending  throughout  our  parishes  a knowledge  of  the 
important  subjects  on  which  it  dwells,  your  request  seems  to 
import  ; and  in  the  humble  hope  that  it  may,  it  is  now  pre- 
sented to  you.  That  I have  spoken  temperately  I hope, — - 
that  I have  dealt  faithfully  I also  hope, — and  that  I have  spo- 
ken candidly,  I am  sure.  That  it  may  answer  the  end  for 
which  you  have  requested  its  publication,  and  effect  some 
little  good  on  behalf  of  our  brother  African,  may  God  grant : 
a richer  return  could  not  be  desired  by  you,  or  the  preacher. 

Wm.  T,  Hamilton , 


Newark , July  26,  1825. 


• , : h. 


Xi  ' t/fc.  ■ 


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v to 


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. • . "'A  • . . 


SERMON. 


»♦< 


ISAIAH,  ix.  2. 


YIIE  PEOPLE  THAT  WALKED  IN  DARKNESS  HAVE  SEEN  A GREAT  LIGHT. 


To  discover  the  more  immediate  fulfilment  of 
this  prophecy  we  can  be  at  no  loss  ; for  the  spirit 
of  inspiration  that  dictated  it  has  pointed  out  its  ac- 
complishment. It  was  when, on  a rumour  of  his  fore- 
runner’s incarceration  by  Herod,  the  lowly  Jesus 
left  Nazareth,  and  came  and  dwelt  in  Capernaum, 
a city  upon  the  coast  of  the  sea  of  Tiberias,  in  the 
borders  of  Zabulon  and  Napthalim.  This  was 
done,  adds  the  Evangelist,  “ that  it  might  be  ful- 
filled which  was  spoken  by  Esaias  the  prophet,  say- 
ing, The  land  of  Zabulon,  and  the  land  of  Naptha- 
lim, by  the  Avay  of  the  sea,  beyond  Jordan,  Galilee 
of  the  Gentiles  ; the  people  which  sat  in  darkness 
saw  great  light.”  This  territory  was,  in  fact,  a part 
of  Galilee  ; and  was  denominated  Galilee  of  the 
Gentiles,  because  immediately  bordering  on  the 
seat  of  the  Gentiles  and  long  occupied  by  them. 
It  had  partaken  largely  in  their  idolatry,  and  drunk 
deep  of  all  their  abominations.  Lying  on  the  sea 
of  Tiberias,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Syrians,  it 
was  the  first  that  suffered  from  their  ravages,  and 
it  shared  largely  also  in  the  calamities  inflicted  by 
the  Chaldeans.  Foremost  in  crime  and  first  in 


6 


suffering,  it  was  first  also  in  the  participation  of 
Immanuel’s  favours.  More  deeply  shrouded  in 
darkness,  on  it  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  first  shed 
his  cheering  light. 

In  addressing  you  from  these  words,  I shall 

I.  Endeavour  to  ascertain  by  a brief  examina- 
tion, the  import  of  the  striking  figures  employed 
in  the  text — to  walk  in  darkness — to  see  light. 

II.  Advert  to  some  few  instances  of  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  prophecy — and  thus  gradually  ap- 
proximate the  subject,  which,  constrained  alike  by 
duty  and  inclination,  I would  submit  to  your  seri- 
ous attention. 

I.  Light  and  darkness  are  terms  of  frequent  oc- 
currence in  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  are  applied 
in  a figurative  sense  to  the  moral  world,  as,  when 
employed  literally,  to  the  natural.  Thus  darkness 
is  used  to  denote  ignorance.  Paul  speaking  of  the 
Heathen  destitute  of  revelation,  says,  “ their  fool- 
ish heart  was  darkened  “ having  the  understand- 
ing darkened.” 

Ignorance,  and  especialty  ignorance  of  God,  is 
ever  attended  by  depravity.  Hence  darkness  is 
also  used  to  express  wickedness.  “ Have  no  fel- 
lowship with  the  works  of  darkness”  says  the  A- 
postle.  “He  that  hateth  his  brother  is  in  dark- 
uess  and  walketh  in  darkness,  and  knoweth  not 
whither  he  goeth,  because  that  darkness  hath 
blinded  his  eyes.”  And  the  spotless  purity  of  God 
is  intended,  when  it  is  said  “ In  him  is  no  dark- 
ness at  all.”  Now  as  ignorance  and  wickedness 
necessarily  entail  misery,  the  same  may  be  appli- 
ed to  wretchedness  and  perplexity,  as  in  the  last 
verse  of  the  preceding  chapter  : “ They  shall  look 
unto  the  earth  and  behold  trouble  and  darkness, 
dimness  of  anguish  j and  they  shall  be  driven  to. 


f 


darkness.”  Thus  Joel  describes  the  distress  con- 
sequent on  God’s  visiting  for  sin  : “ The  day  of  the 
Lord  cometh,  a day  of  darkness  and  of  gloominess, 
a day  of  clouds  and  of  thick  darkness,”  which  is  a- 
greeable  to  the  explanation  the  Psalmist  gives  of 
the  same  term,  “ Such  as  sit  in  darkness  and  in  the 
shadow  of  death,  being  bound  in  affliction  and  in 
iron.”  And  the  wretchedness  of  the  damned  is  ex- 
pressed under  the  same  image,  “ Cast  ye  the  un- 
profitable servant  into  outer  darkness,  there  shall 
be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth.”  The  three 
ideas  then  of  ignorance , depravity  and  wretched- 
ness, are  combined  in  the  term  darkness ; and 
in  this  sense  does  Isaiah  appear  to  use  it,  when, 
to  depict  the  condition  of  mankind  destitute  of  rev-^ 
elation,  and  referring  to  the  same  event  as  in  the 
text,  he  cries,  “ Behold  darkness  shall  cover  the 
earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  people.”  To  walk  in 
darkness  therefore,  is  to  be  living  and  acting  un- 
der the  combined  influence  of  ignorance  of  God, 
and  its  sure  attendants  wickedness  and  wretched- 
ness. 

Light,  as  we  might  suppose,  is  used  to  express 
the  contrary  of  all  this,  and  conveys  the  idea  of  true 
knowledge,  the  knowledge  of  God.  So  Isaiah  : 
“ To  the  law,  and  to  the  testimony  ; if  they  speak 
not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is 
no  light  in  them.”  Paul  speaks  of  the  light  of  the 
glorious  gospel  of  Christ,  and  says,  “ God,  who 
commanded  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath 
shined  into  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ.”  It  frequently  designates  holiness  or  pu- 
rity, as  when  it  is  said,  “ God  is  light” — and  of 
Christians,  “ ye  are  the  children  of  the  light 
and  Satan  said  “ to  transform  himself  into  an  an* 


8 


gel  of  light,”  while  it  imports  happiness  or  en- 
joyment also.  “ Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous  and 
joy  for  the  upright  in  heart.”  And  again,  “ the 
Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation.”  Hence,  be- 
cause in  the  gospel  alone  we  obtain  the  true 
knowledge  of  God  ; by  it  alone  we  are  taught  to 
love  and  practice  holiness  ; and  by  it  the  glori- 
ous hopes  of  immortal  blessedness  are  present- 
ed before  us, — the  gospel  is  called  light — glorious 
light,  and  its  recipients  are  styled  children  of 
light.  And  because  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  great  author  of  salvation,  the  sum  and  sub- 
stance of  the  gospel,  who  purchased  its  blessings 
with  his  blood,  first  promulgated  the  knowledge 
of  them  in  his  personal  ministry  when  on  earth, 
still  does  it  by  his  ministers,  and  by  his  spirit  which 
he  sends  forth,  enlightens  men’s  consciences  to  feel 
their  need  of  these  blessings,  and  disposes  their 
hearts  cordially  to  receive  them,  he  is  emphati- 
cally styled,  “ the  light  of  the  world” — “ the  sun  of 
righteousness  arising  with  healing  in  his  wings.” 
So  the  prophet  announces  his  advent  by  saying  to 
a world  in  darkness,  and  to  a people  enveloped  in 
gross  darkness,  “ Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is 
come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon 
thee.”  And  aged  Simeon,  on  receiving  the  infant 
Messiah  into  his  arms,  calls  him  “ a light  to  light- 
en the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  his  people  Is- 
rael.” And  Zacharias,  in  immediate  anticipation 
of  it  exclaims,  “ Through  the  tender  mercy  of  ouf 
God  the  day  spring  from  on  high  hath  visited  us, 
to  give  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness  and  in  the 
shadow  of  death — to  guide  our  feet  into  the  way 
of  peace.”  To  see  light,  therefore,  as  used  in  the 
text,  is  to  have  the  privileges  of  the  gospel,  of  which 
Christ  is  the  author  and  the  subject,  and  by  means 


<5f  which,  he  imparts  true  knowledge,  inward  holi- 
ness, and  present  peace,  to  issue  in  eternal  bless- 
edness. Well,  therefore,  does  the  prophet  de- 
pict the  advantages  consequent  on  the  introduction 
of  the  gospel,  by  saying,  “ The  people  which  sat 
in  darkness  have  seen  a great  light.”  I proceed  as 
proposed, 

II.  To  advert  to  some  instances  of  the  fulfilment 
of  this  prophecy. 

Its  first  and  most  obvious  accomplishment  is  that- 
pointed  out  by  the  Evangelist,  when  Jesus  Christ, 
the  light  of  men,  appeared  in  person,  and  first  pub- 
lished among  the  borderers  on  the  sea  of  Tiberias 
the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel  by  preaching  repent- 
ance. This  was  indeed  a great  light,  appearing  to 
a people  that  walked  in  darkness.  They  were,  it 
is  true,  connected  with  the  Jewish  Church,  and 
the  light  of  the  law  was  there  ; but  this  light  was 
totally  obscured  by  the  miserable  expositions  and 
absurd  traditions  that  had  usurped  its  place.  We 
may  form  some  idea  of  their  knowledge  of  the  Mo- 
saic law  by  which  they  professed  to  be  governed, 
from  the  fact,  that  the  Gadarenes,  natives  of  one 
of  their  towns,  actually  maintained  large  herds  of 
swine,  in  direct  violation  of  the  law.  With  their 
wickedness  and  obstinacy,  Christ  himself  upbraids 
them  ; while  they  were  also  sunk  in  wretchedness 
and  debasement.  They  had  been  long  harassed  by 
their  heathen  neighbours  ; at  that  very  time,  they 
were  groaning  in  subjection  to  a foreign  power,  and 
were  despised  wherever  they  were  known  ; so  that 
a Galilean , was  every  where  a term  of  contempt ; 
— nay,  they  were  held  in  derision  even  by  the  rest 
of  the  Jews,  insomuch  that  Nathaniel,  a grave  and 
guileless  Israelite,  asked  in  astonishment,  “ Can 
any  good  thing  come  out  of  Galilee  ?”  Yet  among 


10 


this  degraded  people  was  the  great  light  first  seen  r 
and  it  continued  to  shine  and  diffuse  its  gladdening 
rays  over  the  country  of  Galilee  and  Judea,  and 
even  in  Samaria,  for  the  space  of  three  years, 
until  it  seemed  to  be  extinguished  on  Calvary’s 
top,— when  all  again  was  darkness,  and  the  pow- 
ers of  darkness  triumphed. 

But  not  many  days  after,  when  a little  band 
who  had  walked  in  this  light,  and  who  found  some 
feeble  glimmerings  of  it  yet  left  among  them, 
were  sitting  solitary  and  retired,  devoutly  cal- 
ling on  the  God  of  Israel, — the  house  was  sha- 
ken, and  the  very  foundations  of  the  city  rock- 
ed. For  with  the  sound  as  of  a rushing  mighty  wind, 
the  spirit  of  light  descended. — He  sat  in  flaming 
fire  on  their  heads — he  breathed  through  their  souls 
— he  took  possession  of  their  hearts — they  were  fir- 
ed with  zeal,  and  enlightened  in  the  truth.  To  the 
wondering  multitudes  fast  thickening  around  them, 
they  exhibited  the  glories  of  Christ,  the  light  of 
the  world,  and  called  to  repentance  through  him. 
The  word  was  terrible  as  the  rolling  thunder,  re- 
sistless as  the  rapid  lightning’s  stroke  ; three  thou- 
sand sunk  at  once  beneath  its  power,  merged  in 
the  horrors  of  conscious  guilt.  'They  felt  they  had 
been  ever  involved  in  darkness,  and  were  still 
groping  in  it.  But  the  day  spring  from  on  high 
had  visited  them — their  darkness  was  dissipated — 
their  vision  was  strengthened — they  could  steadily 
contemplate,  and  richly  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the 
glorious  light  of  the  gospel ; they  henceforth  walk- 
ed in  thfe  light  and  rejoiced  in  it.  For  the  Sun  of 
righteousness  had  now  arisen  ; he  showed  his  orb 
full  and  resplendent  on  the  verge  of  the  horizon, 
lovely  and  cheering  to  the  sons  of  light,  but  ter- 
rible to  the  sight  and  withering  to  the  strength  of 


II 


the  children  of  darkness.  His  career  was  begun, 
and  what  could  arrest  it  ? He  shed  his  light  upon 
Jerusalem  and  Judea — it  beamed  upon  Samaria 
too,  and  she  awoke  as  from  the  sleep  of  death,  and 
put  away  from  her  the  abominations  of  witchcraft 
and  sorcery.  He  scattered  his  bright  rays  abroad 
throughout  the  cities  and  hamlets  of  Asia  Minor, 
discovering  the  horrors  of  cruel  darkness,  and 
checking  its  vile  works.  Macedonia,  Greece,  and 
Italy,  with  its  proud  capital,  the  mistress  of  the 
world,  felt  its  sacred  beams  darting  through  every 
part  of  their  borders.  The  idols  tottered  and  fell  ; 
their  stupid  worshippers  were  confounded  ; a- 
shamed  of  their  obscene  rites,  they  deserted  the 
temples. 

But  the  prince  of  darkness,  though  invad- 
ed and  alarmed,  was  not  idle.  He  summoned 
his  legions,  and  they  darkened  the  moral  atmos- 
phere with  clouds  of  prejudice  ; they  poisoned  it 
with  venomous  passions,  and  sealed  men’s  eyes  in 
tenfold  ignorance.  But  all  in  vain.  The  light  of 
truth  shot  through  these  clouds,  dissipated  these 
pestilential  vapours,  and  the  eyes  of  thousands 
were  opened.  Philosophers  hailed  this  light ; and 
senators  and  orators  welcomed  it  to  their  families 
and  their  bosoms.  In  vain  was  the  sword  wielded  ; 
the  rack  and  the  gibbet  were  plied  in  vain.  Terror 
could  not  dissipate — rivers  of  streaming  blood 
could  not  extinguish  the  light  of  the  gospel.  The 
fiercest  torrents  of  persecution  poured  down  a- 
gainst  it,  could  not  suppress  it — they  served  but  as 
oil  thrown  into  the  fire,  to  feed  and  strengthen  its 
flame,  make  it  extend  wider  and  farther,  and  shine 
more  resplendent  and  clear.  Its  progress  ceased 
not— till  it  had  enlightened  every  province  and  ev- 
ery hamlet : till  the  Roman  Eagle,  spreading  his 


12 


golden  wings  above  the  pretorian  camp,  stooped 
from  his  height  to  gaze  upon  its  emblems  glowing 
on  the  banners  waving  beneath  him.  It  stayed  not 
— till  it  had  received  the  homage  of  the  Caesars  in 
their  palace, — and  shed  a richer  lustre  on  the  im- 
perial diadem. 

For  awhile  the  light  shone  clear  and  bright,  with 
all  the  splendour  of  the  opening  day,  throughout  the 
Roman  world.  But  mists  began  gradually  to  arise 
and  overspread  the  earth.  Every  revolving  age 
but  deepened  the  increasing  gloom,  which  every 
where  brooded  in  unbroken  darkness  ; save  where 
at  distant  intervals  a transient  meteor  of  glowing 
piety  shot  its  dubious  light  amid  surrounding  hor- 
ror. But  these  partial  interruptions  soon  ceased, 
and  the  light  seemed  utterly  lost ; for  behold,  again 
“ darkness  covered  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness 
the  people.”  The  night  was  long  and  gloomy ; but 
at  length  morn  was  approaching ; the  dawn  was 
at  hand.  Some  faint  glimmerings  were  discerned 
amid  the  valleys  of  Piedmont — they  were  hailed  in 
the  bosom  of  France.  British  Wickliffe  saw  and 
dared  to  proclaim  it.  Hungary  heard  the  sound, 
and  sent  forth  her  Huss  and  her  Jerome  to  point  to 
the  kindling  beams  that  streaked  the  dim  horizon. 
They  fell, — but  they  sunk  not  to  oblivion.  Their 
martyral  fire  blazed  through  the  regions  of  dark- 
ness, and  startled  its  slumbering  inmates  : ’twas 
the  light  of  the  morning  star, — lost  but  in  opening 
day.  Their  expiring  voice  sounded  loud  and 
clear,  like  the  carols  of  the  lark  soaring  on  high, 
to  welcome  the  first  beams  of  the  rising  sun. 
For  scarce  was  the  fire  extinguished,  scarce  was 
their  voice  lost,  when  the  full  tide  of  morning  light 
played  on  the  lofty  towers  of  Wittenburg, — roused 
its  drowsy  watchmen — and  Luther  arose  in  his 


13 


might,  the  champion  of  truth,  the  messenger  of 
light.  It  was  appalling  to  see  the  horrors  of  that 
“ darkness”  which  then  covered  “ the  whole  earth, 
and  gross  darkness  the  people.”  But  he  advan- 
ced undismayed  in  the  face  of  it,  and  with  unfal- 
tering voice  he  called  on  Europe,  “Arise  and  shine, 
for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is 
risen  upon  thee.”  Step  after  step  did  he  advance 
on  the  regions  of  darkness.  He  pointed  to  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness — he  showed  his  glory  beam- 
ing from  the  cross — he  unveiled  the  beauties  of 
the  word  of  God,  and  sent  it  abroad  among  the 
people.  The  man  of  sin  waged  desperate  warfare  ; 
but  truth  prevailed,  and  light  spread  fast.  The 
empire  of  darkness  was  shaken  to  its  centre,  and 
its  monarch  trembled  on  his  tottering  throne,  when 
he  saw  his  efforts  foiled, — when  he  beheld  the  light 
of  truth  blazing,  and  its  banners  floating,  on  every 
town  throughout  the  fairest  parts  of  Germany,  of 
Denmark,  Sweden,  France,  Switzerland,  and  Bri- 
tain. Oh  ! when  the  gospel  in  its  simplicity  was 
heard,  where  late  the  mumbling  priest  had  vented 
his  legendary  dreams, — when  the  pang  of  convic- 
tion thrilled  the  bosom,  and  the  secret  earnest 
cry,  “ God  be  merciful  to  me  a sinner,”  burst 
from  the  trembling  lips  of  him  who  late  deem- 
ed confession  to  the  priest  an  ample  satisfac- 
tion for  his  crimes, — when  the  cheerful  praises 
of  Jesus  resounded  from  the  tongues  of  thou- 
sands, in  those  splendid  buildings  where  late 
the  solemn  mockery  of  mass  and  lawless  invo- 
cations to  the  saints  were  witnessed,  though  an- 
gels rejoiced  at  the  sound  and  tuned  their  harps 
to  higher  notes  and  sweeter  symphonies — it  gra- 
ted harsh  upon  the  ears  of  hell’s  dark  inmates, 
^and  chilled  them  with  agonizing  horror.  For  then 


it  was  undeniable,  “ The  people  which  walked  in 
darkness  had  seen  a great  light, — they  that  dwelt  in 
the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death,  upon  them  had 
the  light  shined  a light  at  which  every  fiend 
of  darkness  sickened,  and  before  whicli  he  fled  in 
dismay.  This  light,  thus  scattered  abroad  over 
Europe,  lived  and  flourished.  It  spread  in  Bri- 
tain’s isle,  though  tyranny  opposed  and  bigotry 
scowled  : slowly  yet  surely  it  advanced  ; retarded, 
not  stopped,  by  prejudice,  persecution,  and  error. 
Yet  during  the  painful  struggle  there,  some  pure 
sparks  of  gospel  light  shot  across  the  Atlantic 
deep,  and  twinkled  through  surrounding  darkness 
amid  the  forests  of  these  western  shores.  They 
died  not  away,  but  fanned  by  the  gentle  airs  of 
heaven,  they  lived  and  glowed,  and  spread  along 
the  coast,  till  a goodly  chain  of  stations  was  formed, 
blessed  with  the  pure  light  of  heaven,  and  gleaming 
like  so  many  watch-fires  on  the  borders  of  an  inva- 
ded realm.  The  native  tribes  of  Indians  that  then 
roamed  through  the  forests,  were  “ a people  that 
walked  in  darkness.”  They  discerned  indeed  the 
light,  but  it  was  jTet  afar  off ; it  beamed  neither 
clearly  nor  steadily  ; and  they  seemed  rather 
to  have  regarded  it  as  the  ignis  fatuas  to  lure 
them  to  ruin,  than  a ray  from  Heaven  to  light 
the  abodes  of  darkness,  and  shine  on  the  path 
that  leads  to  God.  But  the  time  was  approach- 
ing when  they  too,  thick  as  was  the  darkness  in 
which  they  walked,  should  see  and  gladly  hail 
this  great  light.  In  1646,  John  Elliot,  an  English 
emigrant,  who  was  settled  as  pastor  of  the  flock  at 
Roxbury,  in  Massachusetts,  (a  man  of  God  and  a 
man  of  prayer,  whose  heart  burned  towards  these 
sons  of  the  forest  with  whom  he  was  surrounded,) 
after  having  with  patient  application  acquired  the 


15 


language  of  these  Indians,  began  to  unite  with  his 
stated  pastoral  duties  the  benevolent  work  of  la- 
bouring for  their  conversion  to  Christ.  With  a- 
postolic  zeal  he  toiled,  and  the  Lord  smiled  up- 
on his  efforts  ; for  the  first  Indian  church  es- 
tablished in  North  America  Avas  formed  of  his 
converts,  forty-five  in  number,  in  1660,  at  Na- 
tick, about  eighteen  miles  south  west  of  Boston, 
where  they  had  erected  a house  of  Avorship.  By 
him,  and  other  Christian  ministers  roused  by 
his  example,  numerous  other  Indian  churches 
were  formed  ; and  before  his  death  he  Avas  per- 
mitted to  see  tAventy-four  native  Indian  preachers 
labouring  for  the  conversion  of  their  red  brethren. 
Such  Avas  his  indefatigable  zeal,  that  he  translated 
and  published  the  Avhole  of  the  scriptures  in  their 
language,  besides  several  smaller  works.  Deserv- 
edly then,  is  John  Elliot  styled  the  apostle  of  the 
Indians.  Through  his  instrumentality  it  was  that 
these  tribes,  Avhich  Avalked  in  darkness,  saAV  the 
great  light  of  Christ  and  his  gospel.  Nor  has  this 
light  ever  been  totally  lost  among  them.  I need  not 
tell  you  of  the  self  denying  and  successful  labours 
of  Sergeant,  and  EdAvards,  and  West,  at  Stock- 
bridge  ; and  of  Sergeant  the  son,  Avho  yet  labours 
among  the  same  tribe  at  NeAV-Stockbridge,  Avhither 
they  recently  removed.  I need  not  remind  you  of 
Brainard,  Avho  was  ordained  in  this  toAvn,  and  in  the 
church  I serve,  June  12,  1744,  and  Avho, during  one 
of  the  first  of  those  blessed  visitations  ever  vouch- 
safed to  our  American  churches,  called  revivals, 
gathered  in  one  year  77  Indian  converts  to  Christ : 
nor  of  the  persevering  labours  of  the  Moravian 
Brethren : — nor  of  the  redoubled  efforts  of  the 
present  day  to  enlighten  the  sons  of  the  forest. 
What  then  is  the  result  of  all  this1?  It  is,  my  Brethren, 


1 G 


of  the  most  encouraging  character.  For,  while  our 
population  has  spread  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  vast 
plains  watered  by  the  Missouri  and  its  various 
tributaries,  and  from  the  borders  of  the  grand  chain 
of  northern  lakes  to  the  shores  of  the  Mexican 
gulph,  carrying  with  them  the  bible,  and  erecting 
sanctuaries,  and  establishing  the  ordinances  of 
Christ’s  house, — among  the  aboriginal  tribes,  who 
for  this  purpose  have  been  aided,  and  are  still 
aided,  by  the  contributions  of  the  American  church- 
es and  the  labours  of  American  missionaries, — we- 
behold  nations  settled,  organized,  and  civilized — 
numerous  flourishing  schools  maintained,  where 
the  bible  and  religious  books  are  employed,  and 
several  Indian  churches  formed  for  Christ  : nay, 
even  native  Indians  preaching  the  gospel,  and  that 
too,  in  some  instances,  after  having  received  a 
regular  education.  Surely,  may  we  say,  this  peo- 
ple that  sat  in  darkness  has  seen  a great  light,  and 
over  this  whole  land,  lately  in  darkness  and  the 
shadow  of  death,  hath  the  light  shined  ! And  after 
this  rapid  glance  we  might  exclaim, — not  a . hill 
throughout  these  confederate  States  and  their  bor- 
ders, on  which  the  olive  branch  casteth  not  its 
shade  : — not  a vale  in  which  the  rose  of  Sharon 
blossoms  not : — over  this  whole  land  does  the  Sun, 
of  Righteousness  look  abroad  in  unclouded  splen- 
dour— and  every  habitation  is  enlightened  with  his 
cheering  rays. 

But  no  ! — alas  no  ! — Our  favoured  country 
is  not  throughout,  the  undisputed  region  of 
light.  A cloud  has  long  been  hovering  over 
us  : but  now  it  gathers  thicker,  and  spreads  wi- 
der, and  broods  in  darkness  hourly  deepening 
over  many  a fair  portion  of  our  land.  I allude- 
not  to  the  extensive  regions  of  the  west,  where 


V7 


the  fast  increasing  population  alarmingly  out- 
strips the  means  of  religious  instruction,— - 
where  the  churches,  once  planted  and  watered,  are 
now  destitute  of  labourers,  and  though  feeble  and 
declining,  still  cling  to  each  other,  and  send  forth 
to  these  Atlantic  states  the  earnest  cry  for  the  wa- 
ter of  life,  but  cry  in  vain, — where  infidelity  and 
vice  leagued  hand  in  hand  stalk  abroad  unmask- 
ed,— where  the  godly  are  few  and  fast  diminish- 
ing,— -while  the  young  are  growing  up  in  heathen- 
ism, and  the  feeble  spark  of  piety  yet  found  there, 
is  just  ready  to  expire  and  leave  behind  unmingled 
darkness  ! Gloomy  as  is  this  prospect,  I refer  not 
to  it.  It  is  a nearer  point  I look  at : it  is  a more 
painful  scene  arrests  my  view  : it  is  thousands,  nay 
almost  millions  in  our  midst,  who,  though  light 
shines  all  around  them,  are  yet  sitting  in  darkness, 
and  “in  the  shadow  of  death:”  It  is  a whole  people, 
entirely  distinct  from  us,  yet  effectually  intermin- 
gled among  us,  who  have  no  bible,  no  hope  : an 
entire  people,  who,  though  dwelling  in  the  cradle 
of  liberty,  are  shackled  in  the  cruel  bonds  of  sla- 
very. This  is  darkness — horrible  darkness,  in  the 
midst  of  light ! It  discovers  a heavy  cloud  wide 
spread,  and  darkly  lowering  over  us — in  view  of 
which  the  stoutest  heart  may  tremble  ! Oh,  ’tis  a 
scene  that  carries  us  back  irresistibly  to  a period 
gone  by — a period  of  horrible  crime. 

With  two  millions  of  our  species  in  the  midst 
of  us,  of  whom  nearly  all  are  degraded  to  the 
condition,  and  almost  the  character  of  brutes, 
— who  are  avowedly  kept  in  the  grossest  igno- 
rance from  policy,  because  it  is  deemed  unsafe 
to  instruct  them, — from  whom  the  bible  is  with- 
held, and  who  are  scarcely  ever  permitted  to 
sit  under  the  gospel  sound, — whose  continuance 


18 


among  us  as  they  now  are  is  allowed  by  all  un- 
safe, and  by  many  deemed  impossible, — while 
yet  every  project  of  alteration  seems  dangerous 
if  not  futile — how,  we  cannot  but  ask,  how  was 
this  scourge  of  our  land  introduced  here  ? Hu- 
manity blushes,  and  the  heart  sickens,  as  truth  un- 
folds the  horrid  tale,  and  points  to  the  dark  slave- 
ship  hovering  afar  across  the  eastern  waves  on 
Afric’s  injured  shore, — and  tells  us  how  the  rullian 
tu-ew,  with  no  right  but  power,  no  law  but  that  of 
shameless  violence,  was  wont  boldly  to  seize  upon 
their  hapless  victims,  regardless  of  their  bitter  cries 
of  anguish  and  despair, — immure  them  in  the  loath- 
some dungeons  of  the  vessel, — and  then,  spreading 
wide  their  canvass,  waft  across  tke  stormy  deep 
their  human  cargo  to  the  mart  of  blood  ! There 
greeted  by  kindred  souls,  they  landed  their 
wretched  captives,  sickening  at  the  light  of  day, 
and  destined  to  endure  aggravated  misery.  There 
man  bought  and  sold  his  brother  man  ; there  all 
the  sacred  ties  of  nature  were  rudely  rent  asun- 
der ; the  husband  parted  from  his  wife  ; the 
wretched  mother  was  severed  from  her  darling 
children  ; and  all  these  miserable  victims  of  wan- 
ton power,  whose  life  had  been  a scene  of  quiet- 
ness and  ease  under  a genial  sky  and  on  a fertile 
soil,  were  compelled  thenceforth  to  drudge,  and 
toil,  and  labour  for  the  ease  of  some  luxurious 
lord, — themselves  denied  the  common  charities  of 
nature,  and  almost  the  name  of  man  ! — And  thus 
was  slavery — the  dread  of  this  generation,  and  a- 
las  ! but  too  probably,  the  scourge  of  another,  in- 
troduced by  our  forefathers,  and  entailed  on  us  their 
children. 

True  it  is,  that  much  has  been  done,  (and  we 
rejoice  to  say  her  full  share  has  by  this  coun- 


19 


try  been  done,)  to  stop  this  mighty  evil,  and  to 
efface  this  loathsome  stain  upon  the  name  of  man. 
But,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  is  also  true,  that 
notwithstanding  all  the  horrors  and  the  dangers 
which  experience  shows  are  its  consequents, 
this  impious  traffic  in  human  blood  is  checked  on- 
ly, not  suppressed.  The  mart  still  is  held ; the 
cargo  is  still  landed  ; the  lash  still  sounds,  and  still 
the  cry  of  anguish  rises  at  the  ruthless  stroke, — 
while  luxury  crowns  the  planter’s  board — pleasure 
dances  in  his  halls — he  lives  in  splendour,  and  he 
dies  in  peace.  But  the  hour,  the  awful  hour  of 
retribution  is  approaching  : “ Vengeance  is  mine, 

I will  repay,  saith  the  Lord  !”  And  how  amply  he 
does  so,  let  St.  Domingo  testify. 

Brethren,  I am  not  indulging  in  mere  declama- 
tion ; nor  am  I desirous  to  rouse  feelings  of  indig-  ’ 
nation  against  our  brethren  of  the  South.  The  guilt 
of  this  continued  traffic,  I sincerely  believe,  scarce- 
ly rests  at  all  on  this  country  ; and  many  of  those 
who  live  amid  the  horrors  of  slavery,  feel  its  evils 
more  sensibty  than  we  can,  and  deplore  them  as 
truly.  They  are  the  sufferers — and  they  deserve 
our  compassion  and  our  sympathy,  rather  than  our 
indignation.  They  found  the  evil  existing  ; ’twas 
entailed  upon  them  by  their  predecessors.  They 
feel  its  horrors — but  how  are  they  to  remove  them  ? 
They  see  the  danger ; but  how  is  it  to  be  averted  ? 
The  wisdom,  and  the  united  energies  of  the  whole 
nation  must  be  put  under  requisition,  if  any  thing  is 
to  be  effected.  Slavery,  to  an  alarming  extent,  ex- 
ists among  us  as  a nation  ; the  guilt  is  a national 
one — the  danger  is  national — and  the  effort  for  its 
complete  removal  must  be  national,  or  it  will  be 
vain.  Hence  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
the  eyes  of  all  be  opened.  The  injustice  of  slave- 


20 


ry— its  attendant  evils — and  its  awful  dangers, 
must  be  plainly  and  candidly  exhibited,  that  each 
individual  may  see  it  is  his  duty  to  put  forth  his  best 
effort  to  clear  himself  of  guilt,  and  to  avert  the 
threatening  danger.  Now,  though  it  be  true,  per- 
haps, that  you  and  I individually  are  clear  from  all 
guilt  attendant  on  a participation  in  slavery,  yet, 
if  it  is  a national  sin,  if  it  threatens  a national  ca- 
lamity, and  demands  a national  effort  to  remove  it, 
then  should  you  and  I,  or  any  of  us,  fail  to  ascer- 
tain what  should  be  done,  and  fail  to  employ  our 
utmost  exertions  to  accomplish  it,  w’e  contract  per- 
sonal guilt,  and  must  expect,  in  one  way  or  another, 
to  suffer  personal  chastisement,  either  here  or 
hereafter. 

It  was  with  a conviction  of  these  truths,  accompa- 
nied by  clear  views  of  the  magnitude  of  the  object, 
and  the  importance  of  immediate  exertion,  that 
the  American  Colonization  Society  was  organized 
at  Washington,  with  distinguished  patronage,  in 
January  1817  ; chiefly  through  the  exertions  of  the 
late  Rev,  Robert  Finley  of  Baskenridge,  in  this 
State.  “ To  colonize  in  Africa,  with  their  own  con- 
sent, the  free  people  of  colour  residing  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,”  is  the  exclusive  object  of  this  Society  ; 
nnd  it  numbers  forty-three  auxiliaries,  of  the  most 
respectable  character,  in  different  parts  of  the  Un- 
ion. This  Society,  notwithstanding  the  most  for- 
midable difficulties  which  long  opposed  its  success, 
has  already  effected  much.  In  1820,  a company  of 
coloured  emigrants,  accompanied  by  three  Agents 
of  the  Society,  selected  a place  for  settlement  on 
the  coast  of  Africa,  which  proved  unhealthy  ; so 
that  another  tract  of  land,  including  Cape  Mont- 
serado,  on  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  having 
been  procured  for  this  purpose  in  1821,  by  the  a- 


•21 


gency  of  Dr.  Ayres,  the  colony  was  removed  thither 
in  1822.  It  is  situated  on  Cape  Montserado,  and  is 
named  Liberia.  It  contains  a population  of  nearly 
400  coloured  emigrants  ; and  since  the  visit  of  the 
Society’s  agent  in  August  last,  “ it  has  enjoyed  a 
degree  of  prosperity,”  (says  the  report  of  the  Soci- 
ety,) “ and  been  marked  by  a rapidity  of  improve- 
ment, which  has  rarely  been  exceeded  in  the  histo- 
ry of  any  infant  colony.”  It  is  planted  on  the 
shores  of  Africa,  a vast  continent  almost  univer- 
sally enveloped  in  the  deepest  shades  of  idolatry, 
superstition  and  wretchedness : a wretchedness 
greatly  aggravated  by  their  long  intercourse  with 
the  unprincipled  slave-dealer.  On  the  very  bor- 
ders of  these  benighted  heathen,  is  planted  the 
American  colony  of  Liberia  for  coloured  emigrants. 
“On  Cape  Montserado,  (continues  the  report,) 
now  stands  in  lonely  beauty,  a Christian  village, 
on  which  God  has  graciously  smiled.  There  flour- 
ish the  virtues  of  the  gospel,  defended  by  the  Al- 
mighty from  the  influences  of  surrounding  pagan- 
ism,— cherished  and  refreshed  by  the  dews  of  his 
grace  For,  my  brethren,  it  is  animating  to  learn 
that  this  infant  colony  was  blessed,  in  September 
last,  with  a revival  of  religion  ; which,  if  we  con- 
sider its  population,  was  one  of  unusual  power. 
Out  of  less  than  four  hundred  souls,  “ thirty,  of  all 
ages  and  characters  indiscriminately,  have  public- 
ly professed  their  faidi  in  Christ,  and  have  thus  far 
continued  to  walk  as  the  truly  regenerate  children 
of  God.”  “ There  is  throughout  the  colony  a pre- 
vailing increasing  spirit  of  obedience,  industry, 
enterprise  and  piety.  Schools  are  established, 
ehurches  are  building,  government  is  respected, 
agriculture  receives  general  attention,  and  the  wil- 
derness is  retiring  before  the  face  of  civilized  man.” 


26 


For  in  their  schools  many  children  of  the  natives 
from  the  surrounding  country  are  received  and  in* 
structed  : — one  native  adult  at  least  has  been  con- 
verted* ; and  even  the  king  of  a neighbouring  na- 
tion, in  conversation  with  a colonist  who  visited 
him,  gave  unequivocal  tokens  of  awakening,  and 
earnestly  implored  for  himself  and  his  people,  in- 
struction in  the  gospel.  Surely  in  Africa  also,— 
**  the  people  that  walked  in  darkness  have  seen  a 
great  light.” 

The  Colonization  Society  have  shown  what 
may  be  done.  None  can  now  deny  the  per- 
fect practicability  of  colonizing  our  coloured  pop- 
ulation on  the  coast  of  Africa,  to  any  extent  the 
resources  of  this  Society  will  reach.  The  de- 
sign is  a grand  one  ; it  is  a highly  benevolent 
one  ; but  it  can  never  be  realized  in  all  its 
greatness,  until  the  nation  shall  put  forth  its 
strength  : and  then  it  may — and  then  it  will  be  ac- 
complished. Yet  suppose  this  cannot  be  effected, 
and  that  the  project  of  clearing  this  country  of  its 
coloured  population  through  this  channel,  should 
prove  abortive  : still  a most  important  object  is 
hereby  secured  : a missionary  station  is  established 
at  Liberia,  which  is  already  blessed  of  God,  and 
which  promises  fair  to  become  the  means  of  evan- 
gelizing Africa ; for  this,  if  ever  done,  must  be 
effected  by  coloured  missionaries, — of  the  same 
race  with  the  people  they  woyld  convert : to  them 
the  climate  is  congenial, — to  whites  it  is  destruct- 
ive. That  light  has  already  been  shed  on  the  bor- 
ders of  Africa,  which,  we  trust,  is  destined  to  con- 
tinue, and  to  spread,  until  it  shall  ultimately  enlight- 
en the  whole  of  that  vast  continent,  as  yet,  “ a 
land  of  darkness  and  of  the  shadow  of  death.” — 
But  this  light  to  which  we  are  looking  for  results  go 

""See  American  Sunday  School  Magazine  for  July  18->— Page  217. 


important,  is  yet  but  a feeble  spark  ; — it  needs, 
Christians,  your  fervent  prayers,  to  keep  it  from 
dying,  and  to  fan  it  to  a flame ; — it  needs  your  char- 
ities, your  liberal  contributions,  to  supply  it  with 
fresh  fuel,  that  it  may  increase  and  acquire  perma* 
nent  stability. — Need  I say  more  ? 

I might  appeal  to  your  justice,  and  remind  you 
of  the  long  catalogue  of  miseries  inflicted  for  ages 
on  Africa  and  her  children,  by  your  fathers  and 
mine  : and  then  ask  you,  when  it  is  so  easy  to 
make  a return  so  rich  as  is  the  boon  of  the  gospel, 
— do  you  see  no  obligation  resting  on  you  to  con- 
tribute towards  effecting  it  ? The  voyage  to  Libe- 
ria, is  comparatively  short  : the  cost  to  the  emi- 
grant passenger  does  not  exceed  twenty  dollars. 

This  sum,”  (observes  an  auxiliary  society  in  a pe- 
tition to  the  legislature  of  Virginia  on  the  sub- 
ject,) “ is,  to  the  coloured  emigrant,  the  price  of 
political  liberty, — of  social  happiness, — of  moral 
and  religious  improvement from  all  which,  even 
the  free  negro , while  among  us,  is  in  a great  meas- 
ure debarred,  by  the  mere  force  of  invincible  pre- 
judice. Is  it  not  an  act  of  justice  to  the  few  de- 
scendants of  this  oppressed  people  who  among  us 
have  struggled  into  a nominal  freedom,  to  assist 
them  on  these  easy  terms  to  return  to  Africa,  the 
land  of  their  forefathers  ; where  a country  perfect- 
ly salubrious  to  them  is  provided  for  their  recep- 
tion, where  they  may  enjoy  the  full  blessing  of 
competence  and  freedom — participate  in  the  privi- 
leges of  the  gospel, — and  become  themselves,* 
peradventure,  useful  missionaries  among  their  hea- 
then brethren  ? Is  it  not  absolutely  unjust  to  hold 
our  fellow  men  in  bondage  ? And  is  it  not  then  an  act 
of  justice,  and  of  justice  only,  to  adopt  any  safe  and 
practicable  measure,  that  may  tend,  sooner  or  later. 


24  * 


to  promote  their  emancipation,  and  remove  the 
awful  curses  consequent  on  slavery,  from  our  coun- 
try and  from  our  children  ? 

I might  appeal  to  your  wisdom  in  support  of  this 
cause  ; and  remind  you  that  you  are  not  called  upon 
to  aid  in  making  some  doubtful  experiment : The 
experiment  has  been  made — it  is  crowned  with 
success  : — and  in  contributing  to  the  funds  of  this 
Society,  you  are  assisting  to  give  stability  to  a 
cause,  which  presents  the  most  rational  prospect 
of  removing  an  evil  that  is  daily  gathering  strength, 
and  assuming  a more  alarming  aspect  ; a cause, 
which  I,  at  least,  for  one,  am  convinced  requires 
but  the  national  support  to  ensure  it  complete  suc- 
cess,— in  draining  off  gradually,  but  surely,  our 
slave  population.  I might  remind  you  that  every 
hour  is  precious.  The  increase  of  the  black  popula- 
tion, more  especially  in  the  south,  vastly  exceeds 
that  of  the  whites  : the  disparity  of  number  is  dai- 
ly becoming  less — and  by  and  by,  things  continu- 
ing unchanged,  the  blacks  will  be  immensely  the 
majority.  Something  must  be  done,  and  done  im- 
mediately. 

Do  you  want  further  motives  ? Look  towards 
heaven  ! You  see  a God  seated  on  the  throne, 
who  retains  vengeance  in  his  own  hands,  and 
declares  he  will  visit  the  sins  of  the  fathers  up- 
on the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  gene- 
ration. Do  you  still  hesitate  ? Look  to  the  far 
famed  Hispaniola  ! You  there  witness  the  genuine 
'fruits  of  slavery  ! Oh  ! it  chills  the  heart  to  think 
of  such  scenes  being  acted  over  again  in  our  own 
borders,  among  our  countrymen,  our  brethren  in 
the  south  ! Are  you  yet  incredulous  ? Turn  but 
to  the  annals  of  the  last  few  years  : nay,  of  the  last 
few  weeks.  .You.  hear  of.  insurrection,  and  mur*- 


25 


der,  and  flight,  and  of  bloody  retribution  ! Here 
you  may  see  a cloud  arising — small  indeed  at  pres- 
ent, but  who  can  say  how  speedily  or  how  widely 
it  may  spread,  and  how  darkly  it  may  lower, — or 
how  soon  it  may  burst  in  sudden  overwhelming 
fury  on  the  unsuspecting  guilty  ! Does  wisdom, 
in  anticipation  of  such  awful  visitation  on  our 
borders,  prompt  no  timely  effort  to  avert  it  ? 

But  waving  these  motives,  I lay  my  appeal  to 
your  benevolence.  You  are  men,  and  swayed  by 
the  common  feelings  of  humanity.  A Society  now 
urges  its  claims  upon  you  whose  object  is  of  the 
most  benevolent  character,  and  the  most  important 
tendency.  Their  object  is  no  less  than  to  lead  the 
way  for  the  accomplishment  of  one  of  the  grand- 
est schemes  of  mercy  that  ever  entered  the  mind 
of  man.  It  is  not  for  a few  solitary  sufferers,  decli- 
ning under  the  weight  of  years,  and  sinking  under 
the  power  of  disease,  that  they  plead; — it  is  for 
thousands,  for  millions,  suffering  under  the  crudest 
scourge  that  ever  afflicted  man  ! It  is  not  for  some 
obscure  hamlet  destitute  of  the  gospel, — it  is  not 
for  some  insignificant  heathen  tribe,  for  whose  con- 
version they  are  labouring  : it  is  for  the  enlight- 
ening, and  converting  of  an  immensely  numerous 
people  among  ourselves.  It  is  for  the  enlighten- 
ing of  a whole  continent,  swarming  with  millions 
of  inhabitants,  whose  conversion  appears  practica- 
ble in  this  way  and  in  no  other.  This  Society  has 
already  expended  twenty  thousand  dollars, — and 
some  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  humanity  as 
Mills,  and  Andrews,  and  Winn,  and  Bacon  have 
cheerfully  sacrificed  their  invaluable  lives  in  this 
benevolent  cause  ; — but  they  have  amply  effected 
their  object.  They  have  secured  a safe,  a fertile, 
and  a salubrious  retreat  for  the  coloured  man  in  the* 

ft 


land  of  his  fathers, — where  he  may  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  rational  freedom  and  equal  rights, — 
with  all  the  comforts  of  social  life, — and  the  high 
privileges  of  religion.  God  has  smiled  upon  their 
efforts,— he  has  sent  down  his  Spirit  on  this 
colony — and  from  it  he  has  gathered  sheep  into  his 
fold : — he  is  already  touching  the  hearts  of  some 
of  the  natives,  and  opening  their  eyes* 

This  Colony  is  yet  feeble,  it  is  true,  and  needs 
your  fostering  care  ; but  it  affords  ample  encour- 
agement to  hope  that  if  fostered,  it  will  prove  a 
blessed  asylum  for  a wretched  people  : — and  it  is  al- 
ready beginning  to  appear  among  the  African  tribes 
like  a city  set  upon  a hill  which  cannot  be  hid — 
yea  a light  to  lighten  them  that  sit  in  darkness.”  Ha- 
ving thus  successfully  entered  upon  the  plan,  the 
Colonization  Society  turn  to  you, — andask  you  shall 
this  colony  perish  ? — And  perish  it  must  without 
further  assistance.  They  turn  to  the  Christian 
public,  and  ask  them  to  engage  in  this  great  work, 
and  carry  it  forward  to  its  completion.  Do  you 
deplore  the  evils  of  slavery  ? Here  is  a plan 
perfectly  practicable,  for  gradually  diminishing  and 
ultimately  eradicating  them.  Do  you  look  with 
horror  at  the  gloomy  prospect  opening  in  futurity 
for  jrnur  children,  if  not  for  yourselves  ? Make  an 
effort  then  to  avert  the  impending  danger,  and  save 
your  country,  your  children,  and  all  you  love, 
from  the  horrors  of  indiscriminate  carnage,  or  at 
least  of  a desperate  and  awful  struggle — a strug- 
gle of  life  and  of  death  ! Above  all,  do  you  revere 
the  God  of  heaven  ? The  dark  stain  of  national 
crime  rests  upon  us.  Seek  to  efface  it, -“Seek  to 
arrest  the  threatening  stroke  ! Do  you  love  the 
Redeemer  ? Do  you  prize  the  hopes  of  salvation 
through  him  ? — Cast  your  eye  on  two  millions  of 


27 


your  fellow-men  within  your  borders,-— yet  almost 
utterly  destitute  of  a knowledge  of  him,  whose 
blood  flowed  fr  r them  as  freely  as  for  you  ! — Do  you 
feel  the  worth  of  your  own  souls  ? As  precious — 
as  enduring — and  as  capable  of  endless  suffering 
and  of  endless  enjoyment  as  your  souls,  is  the  soul 
of  every  coloured  man  in  this  country,  and  that  of 
every  one  of  the  countless  millions  of  Africa  ! — For 
their  salvation  no  other  name  is  provided  but  the 
name  of  Jesus!  Of  this  name  they  are  ignorant, — 
and  in  this  ignorance  thousands  are  daily  perishing. 
Aid  this  Society  to  attempt  some  reparation  for  the 
countless  wrongs  our  fathers  have  inflicted  on  de- 
graded Africa,  by  returning  her  children  to  her 
bosom,  civilized — and  taking  along  with  them  the 
blessings  of  the  gospel  of  peace. 

My  brethren,  the  shafts  of  death  are  flying 
thick  among  us  ; the  bell  tolls  almost  incessantly 
to  summon  us  to  inter  young  and  old,  who  have 
been  suddenly  removed.  Your  summons  and  mine 
will  soon  come,  and  may  be  close  at  hand.  In  the 
awful  moment  of  death,  which  of  us  will  regret  the 
most  liberal  contribution  to  aid  in  checking  the  mis- 
eries of  slavery,  and  re-transporting  the  degraded 
African  to  the  land  of  his  origin,  that  he  may  car- 
ry along  with  him  the  blessings  of  the  gospel  to  the 
benighted  tribes  of  his  own  colour.  And  when  we 
meet  these  Ethiopians  at  the  bar  of  God,  and  see 
some  of  them  mingling  with  the  redeemed,  who 
of  us  will  not  recollect  with  pleasure — ’twas  in  part 
by  my  aid,  that  “ this  people  which  walked  in  dark- 
ness have  seen  a great  light” 


I 

K'-  ; 

. .i.  . * « . •"■  1 


► « /• 

Js  v 


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m' 


fek  . 


